Lack Of Goals A Concern For Louis van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits he is concerned to see his side lose three matches in succession without scoring.

The Reds had pushed into a wonderful position after April's Manchester derby win but defeats to Chelsea, Everton and West Brom have left the door ajar to Liverpool and Tottenham in a bid for a Champions League spot.

Robin van Persie's return failed to end the goal drought, as he saw a second-half penalty saved by Boaz Myhill, after Jonas Olsson deflected a Chris Brunt free-kick past David De Gea for a shock winner.

"Normally, Robin shoots the penalties very good but it was also a good save from the keeper," said van Gaal to MUTV. "You have to give the credit also to the goalkeeper but it was our biggest chance as it was without a lot of bodies in front of you.

"It’s also a concern now [a lack of goals] because it’s not a coincidence and, in spite of the way we have played against Chelsea, Everton and now against West Bromwich Albion, we have created a lot of chances and still we don’t score. So you can say, as manager, we were not unlucky in every match. It’s also that you have to finish these chances. We have lost three times in a row so it’s also in the hands of my players. It is less secure [a top-four place].

The Baggies' defensive-minded gameplan meant they won despite having only 20 per cent possession, the lowest in a Barclays Premier League fixture all season. "I know what is happening," van Gaal added. "In the defence, West Brom shall park the bus and they have done that. The goalkeeper was fantastic and I think they did not give us sufficient space to score the goals as we have created enough chances to score but still from a difficult situation because a lot of bodies are in front of you.

"The goal was not even a chance – it was a free-kick and it was a deflected free-kick also. It is very unlucky when you see what we have created and how we missed the chances and how they scored. It’s unbelievable but that is also the beauty of football."